WATCH ABOVE: A rear-end collision on the Gardiner Expressway was captured on video showing a driver failing to react to stopping traffic
Anyone who spends time stuck in Toronto traffic knows the scene all too well: that driver who follows too close behind, practically hugging another car’s bumper, and a preventable fender bender that makes traffic back up for ages.
A video posted on YouTube shows a Mini Cooper fail to respond to the sudden stopping of traffic in their lane, before crashing into the rear end of another vehicle at a high rate of speed on the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto on Monday.
No injuries have been reported and police say it’s not yet known if charges will be laid.
READ MORE: Most Canadians admit to distracted driving: poll
“When we look at collisions on the expressways, the number one type of collision that we see is a rear-end collision. Some of the things that lead to this are drivers not giving themselves enough space or being prepared to adapt to traffic changes that may occur rather suddenly,” said Toronto Police Const. Clint Stibbe.
“So we need everybody to keep in mind that operating a motor vehicle at all times requires full attention and as long as they operate their motor vehicle with enough space, they shouldn’t have any problems with other vehicles on the road.”
Earlier this month, Ontario unanimously passed legislation increasing penalties for drivers who text or use a handheld phone while on the road.
READ MORE: Ontario increases penalties for drivers who text, email, talk on handheld phone
Using handheld electronic devices while driving has been outlawed in Ontario since 2009, except for 911 emergency calls.
Fines for distracted drivers will increase from the old range of $60 to $500 to between $300 to $1,000, plus three demerit points.
In March, Ontario Provincial Police said distracted driving deaths will likely surpass those of impaired driving for the seventh consecutive year.
A 2014 survey by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found more than one-third of licensed Ontario students in Grades 10 to 12 admitted to having texted while driving at least once in the previous year.
*With files from The Canadian Press
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